The  person  charging  this  material  is  re- 
sponsible for  its  return  to  the  library  from 
which  it  was  withdrawn  on  or  before  the 
Latest  Date  stamped  below. 

Theft,  mutilation,  and  underlining  of  books 
are  reasons  for  disciplinary  action  and  may 
result  in  dismissal  from  the  University. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS  LIBRARY  AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 

B'JilOiayG  J 

SE  ONL> 

NOV  11 

' 1973 

80V  5 7 

1975 

L161  — 0-1096 

AMERICANIZATION  THROUGH  MUSIC 


BY 


KATHRYN  HUGHES 


THESIS 

FOR  THE 

DEGREE  OF  BACHELOR  OF  MUSIC 

IN 

MUSIC 


SCHOOL  OF  MUSIC 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
1922 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


J_uns_2. 1922 — 

THIS  IS  TO  CERTIFY  THAT  THE  THESIS  PREPARED  UNDER  MY  SUPERVISION  BY 

Z&X  hryn  _ Hughes 

ENTITLED AMERICANIZATION-  -THROUGH-  HUS.I  C- 


IS  APPROVED  BY  ME  AS  FULFILLING  THIS  PART  OF  THE  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  THE 
degree  of  ___Rache.lc.iL_.Qf  _Jfcts.ic._lXL_Music. 


4 


9069 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/americanizationtOOhugh 


Americanization  through  Music 


The  music  of  America  has  gone  through  a process  of 
development  like  that  of  the  government.  Government  and  music 
have  been  put  into  the  figurative  "melting  pot"  and  have  come 
out  in  a truly  American  style. 

When  one  thinks  of  Americanism  and  music  one  must  first 
consider  the  early  settlers,  such  as  the  English,  French, 
Spanish,  and  Dutch. 

The  English  first  made  extensive  settlement  in  this 
country  to  obtain  "freedom  of  religion."  The  church  had  been 
stripped  of  all  forms  of  music  because  music  was  thought  to 
be  an  implement  of  the  devil.  Even  family  singing  and  group 
singing  were  forbidden.  Psalmody  was  the  nearest  approach  to 
music.  In  1800  an  organ  was  installed  in  a church  in  Boston. 
This  was  considered  a definite  step  toward  ideas  of  a 
democratic  country.  From  then  on  church  singing  developed 
and  became  a popular  form  of  entertainment  for  social 
gatherings.  Meetings  at  which  business  matters  were  considered, 
opened  with  prayer  and  song.  The  family  circles,  as  well  as 
the  church, found  it  valuable. 

"Tune  writers"  and  poets  sprang  up  in  every  village  in 
New  England.  To  write  a hymn  that  was  strictly  of  the  "new 
world"  or  American,  was  each  aspiring  person's  ambition. 
Billings,  the  "Tanner-Musician,"  was  one  of  the  foremost 
leaders.  He  was  capable  of  adjusting  himself  to  the  situation 
and  times,  therefore,  a favorite  with  the  writers  of  the  much 
coveted  art. 

Patriotic  psalm  singing  developed  becuase  it  was  anti- 


. 


■ 


' 

. 


. 


. 


. 


. 


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-2- 


English.  Anything  anti-English  was  strictly  American,  and 
therefore  utilized  by  the  colonies.  One  short  patriotic  psalm 
that  conveys  the  love  for  New  England  and  Americanism  is: 

’’Let  tyrants  shake  their  iron  rod. 

And  every  slavery  clank  her  galling  chain — 

We'll  fear  them  not,  we’ll  trust  in  God, 

New  England's  God  forever  reign.” 

New  England  has  always  been  the  pedagogue,  and  unceasing 
laborer  in  furthering  music. 

The  French  were  also  contributors  to  early  American 
music.  They  brought  their  light,  happy  spirit  to  the  southern 
states.  Especially  in  Louisiana  do  we  find  traces  of  their 
early  influence.  They  took  the  happiest  folk  tunes  of  New 
England  and  instilled  in  them  the  cavalier  spirit  of  France. 
The  comradeship  of  a new  country  was  causing  elements  of 
Americanization  to  creep  into  the  music.  Fellow  hardships  and 
sufferings  were  expressed  in  terms  of  music. 

French-Amer icans  became  originators  of  music  festivals. 
These  festivals  were  gala  days  for  the  townspeople  and  were 
the  outgrowth  of  community  enthusiasm.  In  time  the  affairs 
developed  into  a civic  affair.  The  festivities  were  given  by 
local  talent  and  supervised  by  the  civil  authorities. 

This  was  all  a decided  change  from  the  more  individual 
musical  works  of  Europe.  It  resembled  the  village  festivities 
of  the  various  mother  countries. 

Gradually  Spanish  and  Dutch  influence  developed  in 
their  several  localities,  in  like  manner  did  the  music  of 
France  and  England  aid  in  spreading  influence. 


. . 


. 


. 


-3- 


As  America  became  unified  its  music  became  nationalized. 
However,  the  north  and  south  were  as  divided  on  the  subjeot  of 
music  as  on  other  subjects.  Each  section  had  its  distinct 
attributes  in  music  as  different  as  they  were  when  they  were 
characteristic  of  their  several  mother  countries. 

Even  though  the  foreign  settlers  were  nationalizing 
themselves  through  music,  they  little  realized  that  they  were 
civilizing  the  Indians  by  the  same  process. 

Up  to  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  whites  the  Indians 
had  had  a form  of  music  to  express  the  ceremonies  and  play 
of  the  individual  tribe.  The  music  consisted  of  rhythm  and 
the  expression  of  emotion  by  means  of  rhythm.  It  was  not  a 
music  like  that  of  the  French,  English,  or  Dutch.  Even  the 
African  chants  had  harmony  but  the  Indians  relied  upon  their 
dancing  to  supply  their  harmony  and  musical  ideas. 

But  the  whites  had  a great  influence  on  the  Indian, — 
it  was  even  noticeable  in  their  music.  The  Indians  were 
enchanted  with  the  new  ways  of  music.  The  tribes  of  the 
south  and  Canada  gradually  showed  the  characteristics  of  the 
French  and  Spanish,  then  the  colony  music  in  turn  began  to 
show  its  influence.  They  imitated  the  combination  of  French 
and  New  England  music.  Gradually,  they  formed  a style  of 
music  decidedly  individual  and  American,  which  still  exists 
in  the  Indian  songs  of  today.  In  the  meantime  they  had 
absorbed  some  of  the  ideas  of  civilization  and  what  was  most 
essential  the  ideals  of  Americanism  which  were  being 
ass imilated. 

Gradually  all  the  foreign  settlers  were  fused  into  one 


. 


. 


■ 

. 


. 


■ 


-4- 


throbbing  country.  And  our  true  Americanism  in  music  makes  its 
first  appearance  in  the  time  of  the  civil  war. 

Until  then  musical  strides  had  been  made  but  none  that 
expounded  the  views  of  the  people  as  a whole.  The  Handel  and 
Haydn  Society  had  been  established  in  Boston  in  1815  to  further 
the  idea  of  "promulgation  and  diffusion  of  improved  musical 
knowledge  by  means  of  the  introduction  of  music  into  the  youth 
of  the  land."  The  real  magna  charta  of  musical  education  was 
compiled  in  1839.  The  Philharmonic  Society  was  established  in 
1810.  This  furthered  the  organization  of  orchestral  music. 

All  these  institutions  were  strictly  American.  They  appealed 
to  the  general  desire  of  the  new  country,  the  desire  to  express 
themselves  in  their  "New  World"  freedom. 

After  the  first  enthusiasm  and  period  of  construction 
there  came  a lull  until  1861,  or  the  beginning  of  the  Civil 
War. 

Patriotism  again  brought  forth  the  spirit  of  music  and 
desire  to  express  the  pent  up  emotion.  Sentiment  was  the  so 
called  key  note  of  the  new  type  of  song.  The  ballad  telling 
of  the  love  and  devotion  of  the  mother  for  her  departing  son 
or  the  extreme  affection  of  relatives,  who  were  forced  to 
fight  against  each  other.  Songs  expressing  the  ever  evident 
passion  for  freedom.  The  following  quotation  admirably 
expresses  the  attitude  towards  music  before  and  immediately 
after  the  war: 

"I  point  out  that  the  art  of  music  is  an  arrangement  or 
manipulation  of  sounds,  which  clearly  reveals  to  us  the  fact 
that  sound  possesses  all  the  properties  of  emotion  and  is  for 


g§ 

■ 

. 


. 

- 1* 


-5- 


this  reason,  admirably  calculated  to  provide  it  without  true 
universal  language."1 

The  most  positive  autocrat  of  the  south  could  join  with 
the  most  humble  of  the  north  by  means  of  the  music  sentiment. 
"When  music  becomes  a mixed  art,  that  is  to  say  when  it  is 
wedded  to  words  and  associated  with  definite  ideas — when  it 
is  made  to  the  accompaniment  of  scenes  which  in  themselves  are 
calculated  to  work  powerfully  for  good  or  evil  upon  the 
emotions — then  it  is  as  easy  to  see  hew  music  is  a moral  or  an 
immoral  agent  as  it  is  to  decide  upon  the  tendency  of  a 
picture  or  a poem." 

As  an  illustration,  to  what  extent  nat ionailz ing  music 
has  advanced, — Dr.  Lowell  Mason,  founder  of  national  music, 
called  a convention.  People  were  attracted  from  within  a 
radius  of  many  miles.  One  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential 
at  the  meeting  was  a carpenter,  who  played  a violin  and 
melodecn,  could  sing,  and  was  a capable  teacher.  In  summer 
he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  but  in  winter  he  was  a 
teacher  of  his  various  accomplishments. 

All  of  this  slowly  worked  up  until  it  culminated  in  the 
establishment  of  a curriculum  in  public  school  music.  This 
gradually  expanded  until  colleges  and  universities  also  were 
forced  to  affiliate  themselves  with  the  musical  side  of  an 
education.  Today  we  have  the  broad  field  which  includes  not 
only  the  educational  side  of  it  but  involves  the  industrial 

^Musio  and  Morals,  Thompson. 


.. 

■ 

. 


. 


-6- 


field  as  well,  er  Americanizing  of  foreign  employees. 

Music  may  be  confined  to  the  artistic  side  but  really 
it  has  become  more  extensively  a national  factor  or  national- 
izing influence  than  perhaps  any  form  used  for  civic 
betterment . 

For  instance,  a certain  town  between  eight  or  ten 
thousand,  was  largely  oomposed  of  a foreign  element.  The 
foreigners  were  largely  confined  to  a certain  district  and 
refused  to  take  any  interest  in  any  civic  or  American  activities. 
Their  old  way  was  sufficiently  good  for  them.  This  was  the 
prevailing  attitude.  They  attended  to  their  work  at  the 
factory,  where  they  were  generally  employed,  women  as  well  as 
men.  The  children  attendeda  public  school  but  were  segregated 
with  the  foreigners  like  themselves.  So  there  was  little 
opportunity  for  them  to  obtain  any  influence  that  would  be 
imparted  unconsciously  to  their  parents.  There  came  a time 
when  something  had  to  be  done.  Factory  authorities  consulted 
social  workers.  It  proved  a problem  almost  too  severe  for  the 
most  experienced.  It  was  finally  decided  that  it  required 
something  of  a common  interest  to  produce  the  desired 
situation.  A little  woman  who  lived  near  the  foreign  district 
came  to  the  authorities  and  asked  to  be  allovred  to  cope  with 
the  situation. 

Her  first  move  was  to  establish  a sewing  school  of  which 
the  foreign  children  were  notified  by  means  of  the  public 
school.  The  girls  were  to  come  on  the  following  Saturday. 

About  fifty  came  the  first  time.  Before  they  were  allowed  to 
sew  they  were  taught  to  sing  "America"  and  a song  about 


t 


. 

. 

. 


. 

- 


. . 


. 


-7- 


cleanliness.  Then  the  significance  of  the  two  songs  was 
discussed.  General  conversation  was  held  about  the  cleanliness 
of  the  children's  faces  in  the  song, and  the  thoughts  expressed 
in  "America. " The  children  thoroughly  enjoyed  this  new  phase 
of  singing. 

The  next  week  twenty-five  more  were  added  to  the  class. 
Word  had  passed  around  that  it  was  not  only  sewing  they  were 
learning,  but  other  things  of  real  value.  In  several  weeks 
some  of  the  mothers  came  with  the  children.  Out  of  this  one 
organization  several  of  a musical  nature  have  grown.  It  was 
through  the  first  little  club  or  class  that  the  great  situation 
was  solved.  And  it  was  the  music  that  was  the  attraction  of 
the  society  because  the  sewing  was  scoffed  at  by  the  majority, 
saying  they  could  learn  that  at  home.  Although  it  is  hard 
to  convince  people  who  are  hardened  to  music  as  a vital 
interest,  that  it  was  the  songs  that  were  carried  home  and 
made  the  appeal  to  the  parents. 

The  Beckwith  Company,  manufacturers  of  stoves  and 
furnaces,  Dowagiac,  Michigan,  which  was  the  supporter  of  this 
organization,  is  the  possessor  of  two  bands  and  an  orchestra. 
They  are  composed  of  the  foreign  employees  although  the  other 
employees  are  welcome,  but  few  have  taken  the  opportunity. 

A building  for  practicing  has  been  placed  at  their  disposal, 
also  opportunities  have  been  given  them  to  bring  their 
organizations  before  the  public. 

It  is  amazing  how  these  organizations  have  been  put  to 
advantage  in  placing  civics  and  nationalism  before  foreigners. 

It  is  possible  to  say  tnat  fifty  per  cent  of  the  people  in  the 


- . w , 

. 

' 


. 

• 

' 

• 

. 

. 

• 

-8- 


three  organizations  have  become  naturalized  since  the  bands 
and  orchestras  have  been  started. ^ The  talent  and  ability 
displayed  is  remarkable  in  a musical  way.  We  are  not  only 
making  good  Americans,  but  efficient  musicians. 

America  is  noted  for  its  large  and  interested  concert 
audiences.  Why  not  make  it  an  intellectual  audience  as  well 
as  an  interested  one?  Make  it  an  audience  of  the  masses 
rather  than  the  classes.  Why  cannot  America  stand  for 
democracy  in  music  as  well  as  in  government? 

Oklahoma  has  taken  a step  that  is  worthy  of  mention. 

The  state  has  appropriated  a half  million  dollars  for  the 
musical  education  of  girls,  preferably  girls  of  the  working 
class,  who  have  displayed  some  musical  talent.  In  one  of  the 
large  cities  a woman  is  paid  to  investigate  the  factory  workers 
and  give  advice  to  those  she  thinks  the  fund  would  benef it . 

Up  until  1S22  only  twenty  girls  have  been  aided,  but  the  fund 
is  still  new  and  will  no  doubt  be  of  greater  benefit  as  time 
goes  on. 

The  recent  war  brought  forth  the  community  sing.  Of 
course,  the  old  stimulus  of  patriotism  was  part  of  the 
Americanizing  force;  but  it  was  the  common  bond  of  music  which 
brought  the  greater  share  of  the  populace  together.  Proof 
that  patriotism  was  not  the  only  bond  is  the  continuance  of 
the  organizations  even  after  the  root  cause  has  been  removed. 

A book  that  has  recently  been  published  by  G.  Schirmer 
shows  the  necessity  of  a song  book  for  the  ’’community  sing." 

^Statistics  of  Beckwith  Stove  and  Furnace  Co.,  Dowagiac, 
Michigan. 


. 

' 

/■ 

. 


' 


■ 


-9- 


"The  Home  and  Community  Song  Book”  is  compiled  from  the  best 
chorus  material  at  hand.  It  also  contains  selections  of  the 
best  American  songs.  The  folksongs  are  given  special  attention 
because  of  the  prominent  part  they  have  taken  in  American 
music.  Then,  always  there  is  that  element  of  appeal  to  the 
American's  sense  of  patriotism  or  possessorsh ip  that  is  the 
incentive  for  the  use  of  folksong. 

This  book  was  written  by  Doctor  Davidson,  of  Harvard, 
and  T.  Whitney  Burette,  two  men  who  have  made  investigations 
and  understood  the  needs  and  limitations  of  the  community 
service.  It  is  a book  that  can  be  put  into  the  hands  of 
foreign  organizations  in  the  industrial  world  and  serve  as 
an  Americanizing  influence. 

The  industrial  field  affords  a great  deal  of  musical 
activity,  more  than  the  usual  community  can  produce. 

A considerable  number  of  large  manufacturing  plants 
have  solved  the  most  efficient  method  of  caring  for  their 
foreign  population.  Such  plants  as  Studebakers,  South  Bend, 
Indiana,  Dodge  Brothers,  Detroit,  Michigan,  Oliver  Chill 
Plow,  South  Bend,  Indiana,  Ford  Automobile  Factory,  Detroit, 
Michigan,  Minneapolis  Steel  and  Machinery  Company,  General 
Eleotric  Company,  West  Lynn. 

Gary,  Indiana,  which  is  known  as  a "mushroom  town" 
becuase  of  its  sudden  appearance  as  an  important  manufacturing 
town,  has  had  a problem  to  cope  with.  Two  thirds  of  the 
populations  is  foreign.  By  means  of  an  efficient  system  it 
has  been  converted  into  a very  liveable  town.  One  of  the  first 

steps  taken  by  authorities  to  perfect  the  city  was  to 


, 

. 

. 


' 

-10- 


organ  ize  bands  and  singing  schools  among  the  foreigners. 

One  bridge  concern  offered  a building  for  the  purpose.  This 
later  developed  into  a recreation  hall  and  later  two  studios 
were  added  where  violin  and  piano  instruction  could  be 
secured  for  a small  fee. 

The  public  schools  in  Gary  possess  a system  which 
allows  the  child  to  choose  his  vocation  when  he  is  yet  in  the 
grades.  Foreign  children  as  a whole  respond  to  musical 
stimuli  much  more  than  do  American  children. 

They  have  used  the  advantages  placed  at  their  disposal 
and  have  been  benefited  in  many  ways  other  than  musical. 

This  same  plan  was  carried  out  in  some  of  the  schools 
in  Pittsburgh  and  proved  an  exceptional  success.  For  instance, 
one  school  on  the  east  side  of  Pittsburgh  was  made  up  of 
foreign  children.  Nothing  was  taught  there  except  the 
regular  curriculum  for  the  grades,  iiusic,  art,  and  the  so 
called  excesses  of  the  school  curriculum  had  been  left  out. 

The  discipline  of  the  school  had  gone  beyond  the  control  of 
the  majority  of  teachers.  At  last  a young  teacher  from  the 
north  side  of  Pittsburgh  volunteered  to  go  out  there  and  teach 
for  six  months  if  she  would  be  allowed  free  use  of  her  own 
methods.  She  planed  to  use  to  the  fullest  extent  the  old 
saying,  "Music  hath  the  power  to  soothe  the  savage  breast." 

She  was  given  permission,  so  immediately  took  things  in  her 
own  hands.  Her  first  morning,  there  was  a singing  period  of 
fifteen  minutes  instituted,  as  a part  of  the  morning  assembly. 
At  first  it  was  a source  of  amusement  to  the  youngsters  and 
an  excuse  for  disturbance  by  some  of  the  ringleaders. 


. 

. 


. 

. 


-11- 


Gradually  though  the  music  seemed  to  appeal  to  them.  The 
teaoher  told  them  that  if  they  utilized  the  fifteen  minutes  as 
a period  for  music  they  could  have  it  every  morning.  For  a 
vreek  the  period  was  devoted  to  singing.  In  the  meantime,  the 
teacher  had  made  personal  investigation  in  the  district  and 
was  acquainted  with  various  phases  and  conditions  of  the 
community.  In  her  search  she  discovered  that  some  of  the 
families  were  unusually  good  musicians  and  the  majority  of 
them  exhibited  an  unusual  love  for  music. 

Monday  morning  of  Miss  Brady's  second  week  she  asked  for 
volunteers  for  an  orchestra  which  she  planned  to  start.  At 
first  there  was  no  response,  but  by  a little  urging  a few  took 
the  lead.  An  orchestra  was  organized.  Soon  some  of  the 
foreign  parents  took  an  interest  and  a musical  spirit  pervaded 
the  community.  At  the  end  of  six  months  the  teacher  had 
achieved  her  purpose,  lius  ic  had  again  triumphed  over  the 
disregard  for  anything  that  was  American. 

To  return  to  the  industrial  world  we  find  numerous 
manufacturing  concerns  attempting  to  make  good  citizens  out 
of  their  employees  by  means  of  music. 

The  Ford  Automobile  Plant  has  taken  the  foremost  stand 
of  any  concern.  They  support  bands,  orchestras,  choral 
societies,  concerts,  and  opportunities  for  study.  A bureau 
of  Americanization  is  as  much  a part  of  the  factory  as  the 
advertising  department.  The  noon  hour  has  proved  the  most 
advantageous  time  for  the  men,  so  at  this  time  concerts  and 
opportunities  for  general  singing  and  entertainment  is  offered. 


. 


• . 

■ 


. 

' 

; 


■ 


l X 


■ 


-12- 


The  Minneapolis  Steel  and  Machinery  Company  have  concerts 
furnished  by  the  company's  glee  club  and  orchestra.  It  is  a 
part  of  the  whole  entertaining  and  it  makes  a common  bond.  At 
the  Burroughs  Adding  Machine  Company  the  same  plan  has  been 
used  and  met  with  unlimited  success. 

The  Wagner  Electric  Company  of  St.  Louis  started  out 
with  a rather  conservative  plan  of  making  a bond  of  interest 
between  employer  and  employee.  Music  was  the  first  step  in 
their  plan.  Today  they  offer  a conservatory  of  worth  to  their 
employees,  a band  leader  to  conduct  their  bands,  and  the 
chance  to  hear  first  class  artists. 

Studebaker's  band  has  toured  the  country  and  has  proved 
itself  to  be  a band  of  unusual  quality.  This  band  solved  a 
situation  in  the  Polish  district  of  South  Bend  which  for  a 
time  threatened  the  wits  of  the  civic  authorities. 

Industrial  establishmemts  employing  this  method  of 
Americanizing  are  too  numerous  to  mention  individually,  but 
it  seems  to  have  become  a permanent  method  of  handling  the 
"foreign”  situation. 

After  all  the  whole  situation  can  be  based  on  economic 
conditions  and  it  is  through  that  we  all  are  Amer icanized. 

A monthly  letter  from  the  National  City  Bank  of  New  York 
City  says,  "Everyone  is  entitled  to  have  his  own  opinion  of 
the  present  industrial  situation.  A very  influential  labor 
leader  has  declared  that  labor  must  "res ist , res ist  and  resist 
to  the  last"  every  attempt  to  reduce  wages,  and  this  is  the 
position  which  organised  labor  is  understood  to  occupy. 


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